Welcome back to the Spotlight! This week, I aim to be your breath of fresh air since the Canadian wildfires are likely depriving you of the same. Another apparent smokescreen (albeit one that did not make the Sun appear red) was revealed in the sports world earlier this week, as the PGA Tour and LIV Golf settled their lawsuit against one another by agreeing to join forces. This news comes despite nearly two years of mudslinging, not the least of which came from PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan, who as recently as last year extolled the fact that, unlike the Saudi-backed LIV Golf, the PGA Tour was not funded by the same coffers that funded the 9/11 terror attacks. As Commissioner, it was Monahan who cut the deal. How quickly things change, particularly when there is seemingly limitless money involved.
Naturally, sideline observers and internet trolls alike have felt compelled to ridicule as inconsequential the decisions of big-name golfers such as Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy to decline the hundreds of millions of dollars being offered to have them join LIV Golf. But, while Woods and McIlroy must feel like the friends who badmouth another friend’s ex, only to find out that friend made-up with and got engaged to the ex, I doubt that they are losing much sleep over their decisions. Not only have they done very well for themselves professionally, but they have also helped bring light to the phenomenon known as “sports washing.” It is fair to wonder whether the principled stance factored into iconic soccer star Lionel Messi’s recent decision to decline a reported $1 billion offer to play in Saudi Arabia, in favor of an incentive-laden deal (rumored to include revenue sharing in MLS’ streaming rights deal with Apple, Adidas sponsorship and the right to acquire ownership in a future MLS franchise) to join Inter Miami as a Major League Soccer. That should pair nicely with Messi’s Apple+ docuseries.
- The band Coldplay announced that they had reduced carbon emissions from their tour by almost 50%--and not just by cutting their setlist. Meanwhile, the full-throated screaming at Taylor Swift’s tour has pushed CO2 levels beyond pre-industrial levels.
- The Cincinnati Bengals and stadium sponsor Paycor are giving back to their community, hosting an innovation pitch competition giving minority-owned businesses a chance to win a sponsorship package for the Bengals 2023 season. Through the sponsorship, the businesses hope to gain brand recognition and, in so doing, answer the question, “WHO DEY?”
- Fashion House Louis Vuitton introduces a luxury NFT collection, making spending money on its merchandise that much harder to justify (sorry, honey!).
Endorsement Deals, Sponsorships & Investments:
Pata Roja, Magnificent Morsels among six finalists to pitch for Cincinnati Bengals sponsorship deal
June 7, 2023 via Biz Journal
How a Texas High Jumper Used His TikTok Savvy to Score Nearly $1 Million in Deals
June 6, 2023 via TIME
Louis Vuitton introduces NFT collection featuring $42k 'VIA Treasure Trunk'
June 6, 2023 via Crypto News Australia
NBA Raising $271M Debt Offering, Likely for Individual Franchises
June 6, 2023 via Sportico
NHL sponsorship revenue surges thanks to new virtual ads and jersey patches
June 6, 2023 via Advertising Age
NBA Champion Andre Iguodala Invests in New NWSL Club Bay FC
June 3, 2023 via Sportico
Sports
‘I’m going to Miami’: Soccer legend Lionel Messi says he intends to play for Inter Miami
June 7, 2023 via Lancaster Online
Hypocrisy Isn't New in Sports, It's Just More Obvious in PGA Tour-LIV Golf Merger
June 7, 2023 via U.S. News & World Report
PGA and Saudi-backed LIV merge in stunning end to bitter golf rivalry
June 6, 2023 via NBC News
NBA commissioner Adam Silver lays out timeline for possible expansion teams
June 6, 2023 via King 5
Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes, who endorses Adidas, covered up Nike emblem on Royals jersey
June 5, 2023 via Kansas City Star
NCAA, Pac-12, USC Resist NLRB Defining College Athletes as Employees
June 5, 2023 via Sportico
Music Biz
Tupac Shakur gets his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame nearly 3 decades after his death
June 8, 2023 via Coastline Pilot News
SexyHair Partners with Christina Aguilera in Celebration of 25th Anniversary
June 7, 2023 via WILX-TV
Artist-Songwriter Daniel Ethridge Inks Deal With Curb/Word Music Publishing And Curb Records' Rodney Atkins
June 5, 2023 via AllAccess
Fix You: Coldplay's eco-friendly tour reduces band's carbon emissions by nearly half
June 5, 2023 via Euronews
Film & TV
Tiffany Haddish Producing Unscripted Projects at Hearst Media Production Group
June 7, 2023 via Hollywood Reporter
Lionel Messi Docuseries Gets Green Light at Apple TV+
June 6, 2023 via Sportico
NBCUniversal Rolls Out Paris Olympics Campaign to ‘Save the Date’
June 5, 2023 via Sportico
